Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Benediction Cross
(Byzantium and Early Russia)
The Georgian inscription on the handle of this cross indicates that its silver frame was commissioned in 1713 by Domentius IV (Damian Bagrationi), Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church from 1705 to 1741, "for the forgiveness of his sins." The woodcarving inside carries Greek inscriptions and was most probably brought to Georgia from Greece. It shows scenes from the life of Christ: the Nativity (center), Annunciation (top), Baptism (left), Presentation in the Temple (right), Transfiguration, and Resurrection (bottom) on one side, and on the other: the Crucifixion, Ascension, Dormition of the Virgin, Entry into Jerusalem, Raising of Lazarus, and Pentecost. This type of cross was used for blessing the faithful during Church ceremonies.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1928, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 7/20/1959 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 6/1/2000 | Treatment | cleaned; stabilized |
Geographies
Greece
(Place of Origin)
Georgia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 8 7/8 x W: 2 15/16 in. (22.5 x 7.4 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1928
Location in Museum
Centre Street: Third Floor: Byzantine, Russian, and Ethiopian Icons
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
61.141